CONFIDENTIAL &
12
to the Belgian Government as part of the
British Embassy to that country. With Hong
Kong having de jure autonomy in the conduct of
its external commercial relations it may be
possible for the Brussels Office to be accredited
with EEC direct. However this has not been
investigated.
Hong Kong will continue to look
to British posts for their support which should
be forthcoming given HMG's continued responsibilit
for the administration of Hong Kong up to 1997.
Public reaction
18.
Resolution of Hong Kong's legal
status in the GATT and the CCC beyond. 1997 will
contribute immensely to confidence in Hong Kong's
continued prosperity.
It will be welcomed by the
commercial community and the public at large
in Hong Kong.
Publicity
19.
As this issue needs referral to HMG
and subsequent discussion in the JLG, no
publicity should be given at this stage.
SENTIA